FIFA President Gianni Infantino has promised that the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the biggest and most unifying tournament in football history.
Speaking about preparations for the event, Infantino emphasized that the decision to expand the competition from 32 to 48 teams was driven by a desire to give more nations, particularly from Africa, a chance to participate at the world’s biggest stage.
“There is a reason why we decided to increase the number of participants from 32 to 48 teams, doubling from five to nine or ten the number of African representatives,” Infantino said.
“Because we want to unite the world, and we will unite the world in America next year.”
The 2026 edition will be historic not just because of the number of teams but also because it will be the first-ever World Cup hosted by three countries.
With 104 matches spread across multiple cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, organizers are preparing for more than seven million fans to attend in person.
Infantino underlined that the World Cup will be about much more than football.
He said the event would serve as a global celebration of culture, diversity, and unity, bringing together millions of people from across continents.
“The world needs occasions of unity, of bringing teams together, of bringing people together, of bringing fans together.”
“We want it to be a celebration and everyone is committed to making this happen,” he added.
The FIFA President acknowledged the massive logistical challenge ahead but reassured fans that the governing body is prepared to deliver.
“It requires, of course, a lot of organisation. But we are committed to making it a huge, huge success.”
“Have faith and you will see it will be fantastic,” Infantino noted, drawing comparisons to the successful staging of the FIFA Club World Cup earlier this year.
With just under a year to go, excitement is building.
The 2026 World Cup promises not only to be the largest in scale but also one of the most memorable, a landmark event in the history of the sport.
